Located in Christchurch and formerly known as Lancaster Park and Jade Stadium, AMI Stadium is the principal sports venue of New Zealand's South Island.

Within walking distance of the city centre, the ground was founded in 1880 and has a capacity of 36,000 for sports events, which in the past have included rugby union, rugby league, cricket, soccer, athletics, and trotting, rising to 50,000 for concerts.

The ground is currently undergoing a substantial redevelopment in preparation for New Zealand's hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The huge, steepling Western Stand has already been finished, with the Eastern Stands due for completion before 2011, taking capacity to 43,000.

The new stand will be named the Deans Stand, a family name that has been associated with sport at this venue for over a century. Bob Deans was an All Black that played his provincial rugby here, as are his sons, Bruce and Robbie.

AMI Stadium is a regular home venue for the All Blacks, welcoming Tri-Nations matches and hosting touring sides. The ground was also utilised in the inaugural World Cup of 1987, hosting games from New Zealand's Pool, Pool 3; one game from Pool 4; as well as the All Blacks' quarter-final against Scotland, which they won 30-3.

Home to the all-conquering Super 14 outfit the Crusaders (who were up until 2008 coached by Robbie Deans), the ground has hosted four Super Rugby finals with the Crusaders winning every one, in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Rugby is part of the fabric of New Zealand culture and society, and on match days Christchurch throngs with supporters, with the pubs and bars of Oxford Terrace, aka 'The Strip' a good a place as any to take in the atmosphere.